THE CHIMING BELL.

 
Now, on the gentle breath of morn,
    Once more I hear that chiming bell,
As onward, slow, each note is borne,
    Like echo’s lingering, last farewell. [Page 212]

And still I love to hear the sound,
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    Ascending from the wide-spread vale,
Filling the spacious concave round,
    Deep mellowed by the passing gale.

And while I pause to catch each tone
    That vibrates on my pensive ear—
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The images of days far gone,
    In quick succession re-appear.

I feel, I see, I share again,
    In this short hour, all earth has given,
Of hope, of pleasure, or of pain,
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    To soothe, or cheer my soul to heaven.

But why should fairy fancy stray,
    Nor leave me with my griefs to dwell?—
My purest joys have died away,
    Since first I heard that morning bell.* [Page 213]
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Yet, when I slumber with the dead,
    Some other bard may wander here,
To muse, like me, on prospects fled,
    And all that life had rendered dear! [Page 214]


* The above lines were suggested on hearing the morning bell of the General Hospital. The General Hospital is a very fine and a very extensive building, situated at a short distance from Quebec, on the winding shores of the River St. Charles. The chiming of this bell has a most pleasing effect, when heard at a distance on any part of the surrounding hills. [back]